Latest news with #GoldVisa
Time Business News
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Trump's $5M ‘Gold Visa' Fuels Real Estate Fears and Policy Division Across the U.S.
Critics Warn of Housing Market Inflation as Amicus International Consulting Offers Lawful, Non-Disruptive Global Residency Alternatives WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to sell U.S. permanent residency for $5 million — dubbed the 'Gold Visa' — provokes international scrutiny and ignites fierce debate among housing economists, real estate professionals, and public policy analysts. The proposed program would allow wealthy foreign nationals to buy a 'Gold Card,' granting them immediate permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship. It would replace the former EB-5 visa program. The Gold Visa plan, announced in February 2025, promises swift U.S. entry and legal residency without the job creation or geographic investment criteria that governed its EB-5 predecessor. While President Trump and supporters tout it to raise capital for the American economy, critics warn of unintended side effects — most urgently, its potential to worsen the U.S. housing crisis. 'It may seem like easy money for the government, but we're essentially opening the floodgates for ultra-wealthy foreign buyers in a housing market already under stress,' said Dr. Karen Delano, a housing economist at the Brookings Institution. The Gold Visa: A Fast Track for the Wealthy The proposed $5 million fee makes the Gold Visa one of the most expensive residency programs in the world. Similarly, citizenship-by-investment schemes in Caribbean nations like St. Kitts, Nevis, or Dominica require less than $200,000. Malta's EU passport program, one of the most high-profile in Europe, needed under €1 million — until it was halted due to misuse and pressure from the European Union. Under Trump's plan: No job creation is required No regional investment is mandated Vetting standards are not clearly defined Applicants receive immediate green cards Citizenship is offered via a 'strong pathway' after permanent residency According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, 1,000 Gold Cards were reportedly sold in early May, raising $5 billion in a single day. This unprecedented surge in capital has alarmed urban housing planners, who warn that the program could supercharge foreign speculation in luxury real estate, displace local buyers, and further drive up prices in cities already facing shortages. U.S. Housing Market Already Under Pressure In cities like Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and New York, real estate analysts have long tracked the influence of foreign capital on rising housing costs. In many cases, international buyers — particularly from China, Russia, and the Middle East — have viewed U.S. real estate as a stable store of value, not necessarily as a home. 'They're not just buying property — they're buying a hedge, a backup plan, and in some cases, an escape hatch,' said Janice Romero, a real estate attorney in Miami. These purchases often remain vacant or are used as part-time residences, further exacerbating housing scarcity. Median home prices in many of these cities have increased by over 50% in the last five years, with demand outpacing supply due to zoning restrictions, lack of affordable housing, and construction backlogs. Case Study: Vancouver's Housing Boom — and Bust The Canadian city of Vancouver provides a cautionary example. In the 2010s, foreign buyers — attracted by Canada's investor immigration programs — purchased homes across Metro Vancouver, driving property values up more than 70% in less than a decade. The fallout was swift and political: Foreign buyer taxes were implemented were implemented Speculation and vacancy taxes followed followed Residents staged protests over housing affordability Immigration-based investment programs were restructured 'We ignored the early warning signs,' said a former city planner in Vancouver. 'By the time action was taken, most working-class families were priced out of the city.' From EB-5 to Gold Visa: A Radical Departure The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, established in 1990, required a foreigner to invest at least $800,000 to $1 million into a business that created a minimum of 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Although it generated tens of billions in U.S. development and helped fund infrastructure and commercial projects, EB-5 was marred by administrative delays, legal challenges, and allegations of fraud. Trump's Gold Visa removes these checks—there is no job creation, no economic development link, and no transparent vetting. Criteria EB-5 Program Trump's Gold Visa Investment Amount $800,000–$1 million $5 million Job Creation Requirement Yes (10 full-time jobs) None Geographic Mandate Targeted Employment Areas None Vetting & Review USCIS and security agencies Unclear or unstated Path to Citizenship 5+ years of permanent residency 'Strong path' (unspecified) Amicus International Consulting Offers Balanced Global Residency Options Amicus International Consulting offers legal, transparent, and ethical alternatives for individuals seeking lawful second citizenship, identity protection, and global mobility in response to the uncertainty surrounding the Gold Visa and its potential consequences for American communities. 'We are not in the business of selling shortcuts or passports,' said a company spokesperson. 'We help clients pursue second citizenship through legal means — ancestry, long-term residency, or qualified partnerships with legitimate governments.' Unlike investor visa programs that risk disrupting housing markets, Amicus offers non-invasive pathways that do not involve high-end real estate investment or the displacement of residents. Amicus Offers: Second Citizenship by Legal Right (e.g., ancestral or descent-based citizenships in Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, etc.) (e.g., ancestral or descent-based citizenships in Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, etc.) Residency Programs in Neutral Jurisdictions (Including compliant and extradition-free locations in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia) (Including compliant and extradition-free locations in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia) Legal Identity Change Services For journalists, political dissidents, or individuals at risk, fully compliant with local and international law For journalists, political dissidents, or individuals at risk, fully compliant with local and international law Privacy Structuring and Relocation Services Those do not involve purchasing luxury real estate or bidding against local families. Case Study: Dual Citizenship via Ancestry A Canadian client approached Amicus seeking greater privacy due to rising political instability in her profession. Through Amicus' legal team, she obtained Italian citizenship via her maternal grandfather, a legal and recognized route under Italian law. The client now travels freely throughout the EU, has access to consular protection abroad, and does not have to purchase any property or disrupt any local economy. Case Study: Corporate Consultant Avoids Real Estate Exposure A Latin American businessman facing regional unrest wanted to move his assets and family to a safe jurisdiction. Rather than purchase real estate in North America, Amicus secured permanent legal residency in Portugal via a legal tax residency program based on documented income and a clean financial background. The client maintained compliance with global reporting standards and protected his family without pricing out locals. Market and Legal Integrity Amicus follows strict protocols to ensure: Full AML/KYC compliance All clients screened against INTERPOL, OFAC, FATF, and other global databases No services provided to individuals with outstanding criminal warrants or sanctions Legal transparency with host governments and institutions No 'passport-for-sale' schemes or programs without substantial links to the country 'We exist to serve individuals seeking lawful, ethical, and effective identity solutions — not opportunists chasing golden loopholes,' added the spokesperson. A Call for Immigration Reform — With Housing in Mind Experts agree: the U.S. needs immigration reform. But most caution against reforms that benefit only the global ultra-wealthy at the expense of struggling families. 'The Gold Visa is not a housing policy — it's a financial privilege wrapped in a flag,' said an affordable housing advocate in San Francisco. 'We need immigration programs that welcome people and protect communities, not auction off citizenship to the highest bidder.' As lawmakers prepare to debate the legality and viability of the Gold Visa, Amicus International continues to stand as a beacon of legal clarity, offering practical, ethical, and lawful alternatives for clients worldwide. 📞 Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
Campaign ME
11-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Navigating PR for businesses in the MENA region
According to estimates, the PR industry in the MENA region is set to double in value by 2030, reaching an impressive $2bn. One key driver of this growth is the UAE's commitment to nurturing its startup ecosystem. In just 50 years, the Emirates has transformed into a global economic powerhouse. As highlighted in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024, the UAE ranks as the second-strongest startup hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Additionally, one of its key emirates, Dubai, holds the 18th spot among the world's most promising emerging startup ecosystems. The UAE's booming startup scene In recent years, the UAE government has rolled out numerous programs to support startups. For example, the accelerator Hub71, established in 2019, has welcomed more than 260 businesses over the years, which have collectively raised over $1bn in venture capital. The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center is another stellar initiative, assisting over 150 startups and creating 1,400 jobs. Business also plays a crucial role in developing the startup ecosystem in the UAE. A prominent example is the in5 hub for startups, founded in Dubai by the publicly listed TECOM Group. It provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, workshops, and support in connecting with investors and other valuable partners. Since its launch in 2013, in5 has hosted more than 500 startups, according to its official website. The country is also attracting entrepreneurs and investors through the Gold Visa, granting long-term residency permits that extend up to a decade. In 2023, Dubai alone had 158,000 holders of such visas. That is double to the number of visas granted in 2022. In addition, the UAE authorities have established investment funds to support technological entrepreneurs, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, an initiative by the Ministry of Finance launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Meanwhile, venture capital markets in the region are evolving. In 2024, startups across MENA raised $1.9bn, marking a 29 per cent decline compared to 2023. However, the number of active investors in the region grew by 20 per cent, suggesting that the venture capital market could see a rebound in 2025. In contrast, Saudi Arabian startups secured $750m, but this represented a 44 per cent drop compared to the previous year. PR in MENA and UAE: an art of connection Thriving startup ecosystems needs media relations specialists who can help these technological companies to stand out. In the first months of 2025, the number of inquiries for media relations increased sharply, according to Wordstat. This highlights growing demand for PR. Many PR pros come from abroad. Some of them are established experts, but, as experts say, there is a need to combine these talents with local professionals who understand cultural nuances. PR in the MENA region is distinct from the Western or Asia-Pacific, and each Arab nation possesses unique characteristics too. As the International Public Relations Association website further states, 'It is crucial not to ignore the significance of regional differences,' and effective strategies in one MENA country may not necessarily be applicable in a neighboring state. 'To truly establish your presence in the Arab world, your PR campaign must be targeted, localised, adapted to local conditions, and conducted in the appropriate languages.' In the UAE, dozens of local PR agencies offer support to businesses, including startups, with service costs typically ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per month. Collaborating with them presents both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, local pros offer a deeper understanding of the local market and the knowledge of the Arabic language. On the downside, many local PR specialists maintain a more traditional approach to public and media relations, viewing it primarily as the distribution of press releases to the media. Using AI in PR in MENA Technologies are becoming more and more prominent in business. According to McKinsey's estimates, 72 per cent of organisations worldwide have already adopted AI in at least one business function, and PR and communications is no exception. According to Statista, 86 per cent of pros worldwide with different frequencies use AI tools with 20 per cent using them all the time. According to a recent survey, content creation is the most common task where communication professionals utilise AI, with 54 per cent of respondents indicating its use. Data analysis ranks second, followed by background or landscape research. Other notable AI applications in PR include media relations (24 per cent), coverage reporting (20 per cent), and measuring PR impact (16 per cent). AI can also adapt pitches and press releases to different media creating highly personalised email campaigns and increasing the likelihood of successful coverage. PR departments in MENA should harness this technology, but see it as a complement to, not a replacement for, human interaction. Clients may use AI to inform their decisions, yet they highly value the presence of a human counterpart in their PR. Media landscape in the UAE Media in the UAE can be classified into English-language and Arabic-language outlets. The UAE hosts correspondents from esteemed media outlets like Forbes Middle East and The New York Times. Dubai is home to offices of Bloomberg, Reuters, CNN, Wired Middle East, and the English newspaper Gulf News. Abu Dhabi hosts a CNN hi-tech hub, plus, here The National is published. Engaging with English-language and Arabic-language editorial boards involves different strategies. English-speaking journalists prefer email communication and are occasionally active on X (ex-Twitter). Arabic journalists, on the other hand, respond to email and WhatsApp, with Facebook searches often proving futile. Arabic media outlets in the UAE tend to prioritise interactions with local residents. This makes collaborating with a professional who is fluent in Arabic and, if possible, has local connections, advantageous. However, this is not a strict requirement; the key factor is the direct relevance of your product or project to the UAE. Journalists typically receive from 200 to 300 press releases per day. Hence, it is highly recommended to follow up on your initial communication. Without it, there's a 50 per cent chance that your press release may go unnoticed. It's crucial to note that English-language media places a high premium on exclusivity, whereas Arabic may cover news that has already been disseminated. If an Arabic media outlet approves your submission but doesn't publish it the next day, don't be alarmed; Arabic journalists often operate at a more deliberate pace, with releases typically appearing 2–3 days later. Nonetheless, working with journalists in the UAE has some advantages over Europe and America. Just about ten years ago, it was common for journalists to request company CEOs to write articles directly. Newspapers often offer columns as part of standard advertising packages, but exceptionally high-quality content may be published independently. Tips to get media attention Startups operating within the MENA and in the UAE in particular enjoy a near guarantee of being covered in Arabic media. Government-related news also usually receives coverage from all media outlets. However, businesses not based in the UAE or not entering its market may struggle to gain attention. To ensure your PR campaign thrives in the Emirates, take into account several factors: Relevance to the UAE: your product or project should directly connect to the country. This accounts for nearly half of the success. your product or project should directly connect to the country. This accounts for nearly half of the success. Language : while not obligatory, speaking Arabic can be a significant advantage. : while not obligatory, speaking Arabic can be a significant advantage. Patience : adapt to the different work pace and atmosphere compared to Western counterparts. : adapt to the different work pace and atmosphere compared to Western counterparts. Contacts : keep your journalist contact list up-to-date, as there's high turnover in UAE media. : keep your journalist contact list up-to-date, as there's high turnover in UAE media. WhatsApp: embrace this as the primary mode of communication, as it's the most popular messenger in the UAE. embrace this as the primary mode of communication, as it's the most popular messenger in the UAE. Personal connection: strive to build personal relationships and remember gifts on key holidays. A successful PR campaign in the country combines local understanding with global expertise, following fundamental PR principles while adapting to the unique characteristics of the market. By Evgeniya Zaslavskaya, founder and CEO at Zecomms.
Politico
14-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
House Democrats stew over Schumer's capitulation on GOP funding bill
President Donald Trump indicated to GOP senators during a White House meeting Thursday that he supports using an accounting method that would treat trillions of dollars in tax cuts in a massive GOP package as costing nothing, according to three senators who attended the meeting and three other people familiar with the conversation. 'If you are going to make the tax code permanent, by definition it's going to be with current policy,' said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who affirmed that Trump is on board with the accounting tactic. 'The aperture is opened up a bit in thinking more broadly around how we continue to find additional reductions in federal spending.' House and Senate Republicans are split on the controversial accounting tactic, though Speaker Mike Johnson is increasingly open to using it. The move would make it easier for GOP lawmakers to make the math work on their costly plan. But many hard-liners are suspicious of the tactic and want to stick with Congress's traditional accounting method, which would show that extending the tax cuts, and adding other provisions Trump wants, would cost trillions of dollars. Settling the matter will be key as the House and Senate try to reconcile vast differences in their approaches to the massive Trump agenda bill spanning border, energy, taxes and defense spending. But it is likely to run into trouble with deficit hawks, especially in the House, who insist that tax cuts must be accompanied by spending reductions. Trump also reiterated he wants the 2017 tax cuts he presided over to be extended permanently. And, he raised his Gold Visa card concept as a way to pay for the vast package, along with tariffs and other options. Several senators also pitched Trump on repealing the corporate state and local tax deduction. And, the president, after encouragement by some of the Republicans in the room as they're looking for more spending cuts, voiced an even larger embrace of cutting fraud and waste within Medicaid than he has in his public statements. The GOP senators in the room also discussed the politically complex issue of raising the debt ceiling, which Trump has pushed to be in the package because he doesn't want to negotiate a separate deal with Democrats. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he made clear in the meeting he still wants incredibly steep spending cuts in order to back a debt limit increase, adding Trump was receptive to his pitch to pare back a vast swath of federal spending to pre-COVID levels. 'I don't know that we solved anything. We got what we needed — just some kind of direction and feel for where the president wants all this to land,' Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters when he returned to the Capitol. The Republicans who met with Trump on Thursday are all members of the Senate Finance Committee who are trying to work through a host of complex and arduous tax talks in order to decide what they can fit into their party-line bill. 'It's kind of along the lines of what we've been talking about for some time,' Thune said. Sen. Thom Tillis said the conversation with the president helped to act as 'a funnel' for the vast list of tax policies that GOP senators are trying to squeeze into the package. But some senators in the meeting appeared less enthusiastic that they had made any major progress. 'Talk, talk, talk, talk,' Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said. 'Just like the last 10 weeks.' House and Senate Republicans are stuck in an increasingly bitter impasse over how to advance Trump's vast legislative agenda and how quickly to move. Many House Republicans were livid earlier this week when Tillis emerged from a meeting of Senate Finance Republicans on Monday evening and suggested August was the real timeline for passing a budget reconciliation bill, citing the tax talks. Heading to the White House meeting on Thursday, Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo again declined to predict any timeline for the Congress to advance or pass the package and its many tax provisions. Other members of his panel hoped the meeting with Trump and his advisers would help start to bridge the divide between the two chambers — something Trump has struggled to do. 'I'm not even going to joke about it,' the normally soft-spoken Crapo said, with a smile. Thune has been organizing meetings all week with small groups of his conference as he and GOP leaders try to hear from a cross-section of GOP senators about what they want to see in a reconciliation bill, which would allow Republicans to short-circuit a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. Those meetings, according to senators in attendance, have focused on the tax provisions — including measuring support for using the current policy baseline accounting method to make the extension of the Trump-era tax cuts appear to cost nothing. Whether Republicans can actually use the method in their bill will be up to the Senate parliamentarian, who has yet to rule on the matter. Senate Republicans are also using their small-group meetings to discuss how big they should go on spending cuts and outline the challenges of the major task ahead.
Politico
13-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
Trump backs key Senate tax plan strategy in struggle with House
President Donald Trump indicated to GOP senators during a White House meeting Thursday that he supports using an accounting method that would treat trillions of dollars in tax cuts in a massive GOP package as costing nothing, according to three senators who attended the meeting and three other people familiar with the conversation. 'If you are going to make the tax code permanent, by definition it's going to be with current policy,' said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who affirmed that Trump is on board with the accounting tactic. 'The aperture is opened up a bit in thinking more broadly around how we continue to find additional reductions in federal spending.' House and Senate Republicans are split on the controversial accounting tactic, though Speaker Mike Johnson is increasingly open to using it. The move would make it easier for GOP lawmakers to make the math work on their costly plan. But many hard-liners are suspicious of the tactic and want to stick with Congress's traditional accounting method, which would show that extending the tax cuts, and adding other provisions Trump wants, would cost trillions of dollars. Settling the matter will be key as the House and Senate try to reconcile vast differences in their approaches to the massive Trump agenda bill spanning border, energy, taxes and defense spending. But it is likely to run into trouble with deficit hawks, especially in the House, who insist that tax cuts must be accompanied by spending reductions. Trump also reiterated he wants the 2017 tax cuts he presided over to be extended permanently. And, he raised his Gold Visa card concept as a way to pay for the vast package, along with tariffs and other options. The GOP senators in the room also discussed the politically complex issue of raising the debt ceiling, which Trump has pushed to be in the package because he doesn't want to negotiate a separate deal with Democrats. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he made clear in the meeting he still wants incredibly steep spending cuts in order to back a debt limit increase, adding Trump was receptive to his pitch to pare back a vast swath of federal spending to pre-COVID levels. 'I don't know that we solved anything. We got what we needed — just some kind of direction and feel for where the president wants all this to land,' Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters when he returned to the Capitol. The Republicans who met with Trump on Thursday are all members of the Senate Finance Committee who are trying to work through a host of complex and arduous tax talks in order to decide what they can fit into their party-line bill. 'It's kind of along the lines of what we've been talking about for some time,' Thune said. Sen. Thom Tillis said the conversation with the president helped to act as 'a funnel' for the vast list of tax policies that GOP senators are trying to squeeze into the package. But some senators in the meeting appeared less enthusiastic that they had made any major progress. 'Talk, talk, talk, talk,' Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said. 'Just like the last 10 weeks.' House and Senate Republicans are stuck in an increasingly bitter impasse over how to advance Trump's vast legislative agenda and how quickly to move. Many House Republicans were livid earlier this week when Tillis emerged from a meeting of Senate Finance Republicans on Monday evening and suggested August was the real timeline for passing a budget reconciliation bill, citing the tax talks. Heading to the White House meeting on Thursday, Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo again declined to predict any timeline for the Congress to advance or pass the package and its many tax provisions. Other members of his panel hoped the meeting with Trump and his advisers would help start to bridge the divide between the two chambers — something Trump has struggled to do. 'I'm not even going to joke about it,' the normally soft-spoken Crapo said, with a smile. Thune has been organizing meetings all week with small groups of his conference as he and GOP leaders try to hear from a cross-section of GOP senators about what they want to see in a reconciliation bill, which would allow Republicans to short-circuit a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. Those meetings, according to senators in attendance, have focused on the tax provisions — including measuring support for using the current policy baseline accounting method to make the extension of the Trump-era tax cuts appear to cost nothing. Senate Republicans are also using the meetings to discuss how big they should go on spending cuts and outline the challenges of the major task ahead.
